Precooked food warmer utilizing immersible sword like heat transfer members

Abstract

A precooked-food warmer for baby and diet food which is contained in an openable, rigid container comprises a housing that can be fixed to the container and in which is located an electrical heating unit. The unit is equipped with connectors such that energy is supplied to the unit and with a heat-conducting means to transfer heat from the heating unit to liquid or semi-liquid food in the container. A transfer member of a rigid heat-conducting material that is immersible in the food and is detachable from the heating unit is also provided. Preferably, the transfer member defines at least one sword-like section of large surface area that is immersible in the food.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A precooked-food warmer for baby and diet food, contained in an openable, rigid container, comprising: a housing adapted for mounting on the container;   an electrical heating unit located within the housing;   connectors adapted to supply energy to the heating unit;   heat-conducting means to transfer heat from the heating unit to liquid or semi-liquid food in the container; and   a transfer member formed of a rigid, heat-conducting material immersible in the liquid or semi-liquid food and detachable from the heating unit;   said transfer member including a central section and a plurality of sword-like sections of large surface area, said sections projecting in a star-shaped array from the central section with a free end of the transfer member immersible in the liquid or semi-liquid food and the shape of the central section tapering toward the free end.   
     
     
       2. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transfer member has a coupling surface and said heating unit has a corresponding surface against which the coupling surface is placed so that both surfaces are in contact over a large area. 
     
     
       3. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is constructed of a material with low thermal conductivity and said heating unit is located within said housing such that none of the heatable parts of said heating unit projects beyond the external contour defined by said housing. 
     
     
       4. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating unit includes at least one PTC element fastened to a mounting plate. 
     
     
       5. A precooked-food warmer for baby and diet food, which is contained in an openable, rigid container, comprising: a housing adapted for mounting on the container;   an electrical heating unit located within the housing;   said housing including a closed interior space with a floor having an opening, and said heating unit defining an end surface fastened to the floor in the interior space of the housing so that the opening is substantially sealed shut by the end surface;   said housing including claws, with said heating unit inserted into said claws;   connectors adapted to supply energy to the heating unit;   heat-conducting means to transfer heat from the heating unit to liquid or semi-liquid food in the container; and   a transfer member formed of a rigid, heat-conducting material immersible in the liquid or semi-liquid food and detachable from the heating unit.   
     
     
       6. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said housing includes a wall having a projecting edge, and including a lid closing one end of said housing. 
     
     
       7. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said housing is constructed of a material with low thermal conductivity and said heating unit is located within said housing such that none of the heatable parts of said heating unit projects beyond the external contour defined by said housing. 
     
     
       8. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said heating unit includes at least one PTC element fastened to a mounting plate. 
     
     
       9. A precooked-food warmer for baby and diet food, contained in an openable, rigid container, comprising: a housing adapted for mounting on the container;   an electrical heating unit located within the housing;   connectors adapted to supply energy to the heating unit;   heat-conducting means to transfer heat from the heating unit to liquid or semi-liquid food in the container;   a transfer member formed of a rigid, heat-conducting material immersible in the liquid or semi-liquid food and detachable from the heating unit;   a plurality of holding devices for attaching the housing and the transfer member to the container to seal said container closed;   said holding devices including a sealing rim extending from the transfer element and a sealing ring positioned within and adjacent said sealing rim, said container having a screw thread, and said sealing ring placed around said screw thread; and   connecting devices on said housing and transfer member for locking said housing and transfer member together.   
     
     
       10. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said sealing rim and said transfer member comprise a one piece unit formed of heat-conducting material, and wherein said housing a section overlapping the outside of said sealing rim. 
     
     
       11. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said housing includes an outer ring covering said sealing rim so that said housing, transfer member and container are connected to each other. 
     
     
       12. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 11, wherein said outer ring is securely fastened to said transfer member. 
     
     
       13. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said container includes a shoulder, and wherein an elongated sealing lip is formed on said sealing ring so that said elongated sealing lip projects from the screw thread of said container toward said shoulder on which it is firmly seated, thus defining space between said lip and said container. 
     
     
       14. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said housing is constructed of a material with low thermal conductivity and said heating unit is located within said housing such that none of the heatable parts of said heating unit projects beyond the external contour defined by said housing. 
     
     
       15. A precooked-food warmer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said heating unit includes at least one PTC element fastened to a mounting plate.